Call Center Update DHS offices will be closed July 4 in observance of the holiday. To help ensure customers have ample opportunity to connect with DHS staff the week of July 4, the Call Center will adjust its schedule to take incoming calls Monday-Wednesday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Call Center will return to its normal schedule the following week.
Attention RI SNAP Beneficiaries Please be aware there is currently fraudulent activity taking place in other states affecting SNAP Benefits on EBT cards. While we do not believe there is any activity of this nature currently taking place in Rhode Island, please be advised you will never be asked to sign up for instant cash benefits or be asked to provide personal information, your card number, or PIN. If you ever receive a call, email, text, or social media invitation to do so, never click any links or provide the requested information.Please know, ebtEdge will never request this type of information from you. Please remember to protect yourself by changing your PIN frequently – using a different PIN each time – or by freezing your card. If you are uncertain about or confused by a suspicious inquiry, please contact DHS and call the EBT customer service line at 1-888-979-9939 to change your PIN. You can find more information on how best to protect yourself from possible SNAP-related fraud here.
Summer EBT Update This summer, families with school-age children who were income-eligible for free or reduced-price meals during the 2023-2024 school year will receive SUN Bucks (formerly Summer EBT), a $120 dollar benefit per child that can be used to buy groceries. Families will either see the benefit added to their SNAP EBT card or to a separate SUN Bucks card that will be mailed this month. Benefits will be available to use beginning July 1. If you have questions about SUN bucks, please call United Way of Rhode Island at 2-1-1. Additional information about SUN buck can be found here: https://dhs.ri.gov/sun-bucks
Translation Services Available If you are seeking information about DHS programs and services in a language other than English, translation services are available to you at no cost. Persons with disabilities requiring another form of communication, such as auxiliary aids for hearing and the visually impaired, can inform DHS about their needs so appropriate accommodations can be made.
Local Resources 2-1-1 United Way of Rhode Island "Together, we're changing lives and strengthening our community...helping Rhode Islander's meet basic needs..." Open the Guide to Services Associated with 2-1-1 to access the search database for available Health and Human Services. Crossroads Rhode Island "...to meet the needs of the most vulnerable people in our state...providing a range of services for housing, shelter, and education and employment services..." Meals on Wheels of RI "...receive daily meals...home-delivered meals program...delivering meals to seniors and homebound..." RI Community Action Agencies " ...provides resources, support, services, and programs to RI residents in need...serving all 39 cities and towns in Rhode Island..." RI Department of Labor and Training " ...EmployRI online search engine for employers job recruitment, job fairs and workshops, online job-matching for job seekers and more..." RI Food Bank "...food pantries and meal sites...to engage in the fight against hunger..." "Community Kitchen is a culinary job-training program for low-income or jobless adults....students gain cooking skills...and create healthy meals for Kids Cafe". RI Housing "...provides low-interest loans, grants, education and assistance to help Rhode Islanders find, rent, buy, build and keep a good home..." RI Office of Healthy Aging "...additional resources for those in need of emergency food services..." RI Resource Directory Page "...for emergency food listing..." RI Voter Registration "...all the information you need to register, update your voter record, find a polling place/elected officials and track your mail ballot..." Internet Access and Telephone Affordable Connectivity Program "...The Affordable Connectivity Program is an FCC benefit program that helps ensure that households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more..."